On a chocolate mission

Shawn Askinosie is the founder and owner of Askinosie Choco­late, a socially and environmentally conscious business in Springfield, Missouri. Askinosie works closely with farmers in four global regions. While producing award-winning chocolate, he seeks to create a business in which everyone in­volved—from farmer to factory worker to buyer—thrives.

How did you get into the chocolate business?I was a criminal defense lawyer for 20 years and was ready for a career change. I thought about the food business be­cause I had taken up the hobby of grilling, which turned into baking, which turned into making chocolate desserts. Especially cupcakes.